This is a guest blog post by Howard Coan, an affiliate marketing specialist and travel agent who I met at Nomad Island Fest 2022 and 2023. I have travelled to the Canaries several times and he was my travel agent for one of my trips to Fuerteventura, where he delivered a great service. A popular holiday destination as well as a growing hotspot for digital nomads and expats, Howard outlines in the article why the Canary Islands are a great place to live.
Here are my takeaways from why these islands are a wonderful place to base yourself
Great weather all year round. The islands enjoy very mild winters. Although they get the odd storm or cloudy day, temperatures usually hover around 20-30 degrees Celsius even during winter.
Great connections. Connections between the islands are easy either by plane or boat. Over the past few years, new routes have been launched between the islands and nearby Morocco and Madeira (a part of Portugal). Flights to mainland Spain are also frequent. I used Kiwi for hassle-free inter-island flights with baggage and either online or airport check-in included and found their email updates useful when my flight was slightly delayed.
They are part of Spain, so part of the EU and Schengen area. So, it’s great if you are lucky enough to have an EU passport. If you do not, you can investigate other visa options that might be available to you. If you already hold a Schengen visa or a passport issued by an exempt country such as the USA or UK, you do not need additional paperwork as a visitor. However, a time limit on your stay may apply. Official residents of the Canary Islands also enjoy discounts on inter-island and flights between the islands and mainland Spain.
A relaxed pace of life. Canarians are generally laid-back and there is never any rush for anything. This helps when managing Spanish bureaucracy and paperwork.
A low cost of living. Prices have increased post-Covid. However, costs of food, groceries and eating out remain low compared to the rest of Europe or the UK. Due to their low-tax status, alcohol, fragrances, and tobacco are cheap to purchase in the Canary Islands.
Great beaches and things to do for free or low cost. You do not need much money to live on these islands as you rarely need jumpers and never need a winter coat unless you are going far up into the mountains. Looking for something to do? Take a walk or visit the beach. Feeling more adventurous? Book a tour here.
Time zone – the islands are in the same time zone as the UK and Portugal. They are one hour behind mainland Spain which is important to remember if you are calling someone in the mainland. However, for us British and Irish, we do not need to worry about adjusting our watches or calling home.
Digital nomad life
The Canary Islands have recently become a hotspot for those who work remotely. For most Europeans, the time zone will not be a problem. The islands have also had fibre-optic internet for almost a decade now. Most homes and businesses have strong Wi-Fi connections.
Although working from the beach may not be practical, there is a small digital nomad community. Try searching for co-working spaces in your area or looking for Facebook or MeetUp groups. Working remotely need not be isolating.
If you speak the local language, you will find that locals are usually friendly and accommodating. The islands rely on a certain number of visitors yearly to stimulate the economy. Nomads can help give back to the community by supporting local property owners and businesses, getting involved with volunteer opportunities, or investing in start-ups.
Other things to do in the Canary Islands
Explore the off-the-beaten-track beaches and hiking trails on your island. Take a trip to a neighbouring island. Experience the local cuisine. Take a Spanish course. Visit Santa Cruz in Tenerife and enjoy a spot of bargain-hunting in the shops and markets. The islands have something to offer everyone!
Check out and follow Howard Coan’s Facebook business page: https://facebook.com/travelwithhoward
